The Billion-Dollar School Photography Industry

Picture day is an annual tradition for American families — and, for the companies that take the photos, a lucrative one. Zachary Crockett smiles for the camera.

• SOURCES:
  • Ken Murphy, C.E.O. of Lifetouch
  • Jeremy McColm, senior manager of photography at Lifetouch

• RESOURCES:
  • "The money and stress and failed hairdos of school picture day," by Kaitlyn Tiffany (Vox, 2019)
  • "The School Photo Industry Is a Master Class in Drama," by David Gauvey Herbert (New York Times, 2019)
  • "With Lifetouch Acquisition, Shutterfly Claims Leadership In Picture Memories Market," by Pamela Danziger (Forbes, 2018)
  • "Exclusive School Photography Agreement" (Vernon Public School District, 2019)

• EXTRAS:
  • "Money Schools Earn From Student Portraits Varies Widely," by Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough, and Jeff Piper (NBC News Washington, 2016)